So Sofitel Hua Hin

The SO Sofitel Hua Hin is the work of renowned Thai designer Duangrit Bunnag, and the property is an architecture- and design-lover's dream. One enters the hotel through palatial white stairs and fountains, which lead to the simple reception area, an arrangement of low-lying black leather seats where guests enjoy a welcome drink with views of the long reflecting pools that are a showcase of the resort. Gray stone floors, and exposed wooden beams create a cool, chic minimalism that continues throughout the resort. Everything is long and vertical here, with stairs leading down into corridors that hide the swimming pool on one side and rooms on the other. The structure eventually opens out onto a beautiful courtyard and grounds with manicured shrubbery, trees, flowers, and another pool, all the way to the private hotel beach. This property is for boutique hotel lovers and hopeless romantics alike, and the lion's share of guests here are couples on holiday. 

The SO Sofitel Hua Hin is actually in Cha Am, not Hua Hin (which is 20 miles down the road). The resort is a few miles north of Cha Am beach, and sits down a quiet side road on its own stretch of sand. There are no other restaurants or shops in the area, and it feels like the middle of nowhere. This gives it a very exclusive and private feel, yet at the same time means guests are dependent on taxis or their own transport to get around town. The Cicada Market takes up to 50 minutes to reach by road and central Hua Hin is about a 30-minute drive depending on the destination and traffic. The closest international airports are back in Bangkok, which takes about two hours to reach by road. 

Rooms at the SO Sofitel Hua Hin are top-of-the-line luxury. All sport sharp, minimalist design features and decor is a soothing, earthy palette of soft grays, browns, and white. There are only three categories of rooms: entry-level Horizon Studios, Garden Terrace Studios, and Pool Villas. All offer huge amounts of living space, starting at 60 square meters, or 646 square feet, of space, which is double that of most nearby resorts. Urban-chic concrete walls look smart against dark tile and hardwood floors, while accents like reclaimed wood benches and seating areas add a bit of comfort. All rooms have large flat-screen TVs, writing desks, fine wood-frame beds and white linens, and mood lighting. There are safes, free non-alcoholic minibars and snacks (refilled daily), scales, and electric kettles along with French presses and free coffee and tea. The bathrooms are works of art, with double-vanity designer sinks, large bathtubs, and huge walk-in RainSky showers by Dornbracht, a major in-room highlight and a luxurious experience. Garden Terrace rooms add on Apple TVs, which have movies and music for guests to enjoy, plus spacious private garden areas. The exclusive Pool Villas have 260 square meters (over 2700 square feet) of living space, with separate lounges and dining areas, not to mention private swimming pools. All rooms come with free high-speed Wi-Fi.

This hotel is blessed with some fantastic facilities. It has two lovely swimming pools, one called Chill, an adults-only option beside the Red Bar that's suitable for lap-swimming, lined with lounge chairs, and surrounded by stone walls. The other pool faces the beach and is called Active, which has a shallow kids' area along with lounge chairs under umbrellas-for-two nestled within flowering bushes. The resort also has a small 24-hour fitness center, which oddly includes a library full of books, and there is a stylish spa on the premises. There really isn't a direct beach, as the ocean here comes up to a sea wall, but the resort has put sand above the sea wall and created its own private beach here; it's quite pleasant, with many sun-beds and a beach bar with great views out to sea. 

The main restaurant, Motion, serves elegant buffet breakfasts, as well as gourmet western and Thai food throughout the day and evening. The romantic Clouds Loft restaurant sits above the resort, looking down on the Active Pool and out to the sea, with views back towards the lobby via long reflecting pools in the other direction; Mediterranean fare is served here, and the restaurant is open only for dinner. The Red Bar, a glowing red cocktail bar that fronts the Chill Pool, does a cocktail happy hour and serves light snacks. 

Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel and laundry services can be arranged. The hotel's front desk is staffed around the clock and there is an area shuttle available for a fee. Parking is free and the hotel can arrange airport transfers for a fee.